River Murray Waters Act 1915

Legislation au C1915A00046 Not in force Act

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RIVER MURRAY WATERS.

 

No. 46 of 1915.

An Act to ratify and provide for Carrying out an Agreement entered into between the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth and the Premiers of the States of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, respecting the River Murray and Lake Victoria and other Waters, and for other purposes.

[Assented to 15th November, 1915.]

Preamble.

WHEREAS the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting for and on behalf of the Commonwealth, and the Premiers of the States of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, acting for and on behalf of those States respectively, have entered into the Agreement, a copy of which is set out in the Schedule, subject to ratification by the Parliament of the said Commonwealth and the Parliaments of the said States:

And whereas it is desirable to ratify and provide for carrying out the said Agreement:

Be it therefore enacted by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—

Short title.

1. This Act may be cited as the River Murray Waters Act 1915.

Act to bind the Crown.

2. This Act shall bind the Crown.

Commencement.

3. This Act shall commence on a day to be fixed by Proclamation.

Definitions.

4. In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears—

“Commission” means the River Murray Commission appointed for the purposes of this Act;

“Commissioner” means member of the Commission;

“Constructing authority” means the contracting Government or Governments by which any works under this Act are constructed, or to be constructed, and any authority constituted or appointed for the purpose of such construction;


“Contracting Government” means any Government which is a party to the Agreement;

“Maintenance” includes repairs;

“Purposes of this Act” includes purposes of the Agreement;

“Prescribed” means prescribed by the Act or by regulations made pursuant to this Act;

“Schedule” means Schedule to this Act;

“The Agreement” means the Agreement, a copy of which is set out in the Schedule;

“Under this Act” includes under the Agreement.

Ratification of agreement.

5. Subject to this Act, the Agreement is hereby ratified and approved, and shall take effect on the commencement of this Act, but nothing in such ratification and approval shall be taken to render the Commonwealth liable to payment of any greater sum than One million pounds in respect of the cost of carrying out the works to be provided for under the agreement.

Appointment of Commissioner and Deputy-Commissioner.

6. The Governor-General may appoint a Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, who shall respectively be paid such salaries (if any) as the Parliament provides.

Regulations made by the Commission.

7.—(1.) The Commission may make regulations—

(a) for or relating to—

(i) the times and places of its meetings;

(ii) the election of a chairman to preside in…

Overview

The River Murray Waters Act 1915 was enacted to ratify and implement an agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and the states of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia regarding the River Murray and Lake Victoria, as well as other associated waters. This legislation addresses the need for coordinated management and regulation of water resources across state boundaries, ensuring equitable distribution and use of water for irrigation and navigation. The Act was passed by the Parliament of Australia and assented to by the Governor-General on 15 November 1915. The primary objective of this Act is to facilitate the cooperative management of water resources in the River Murray system, including the construction, maintenance, and operation of necessary infrastructure such as weirs, locks, and storage facilities. It also establishes the River Murray Commission to oversee these activities and ensure compliance with the agreement.

Scope and Application

The River Murray Waters Act 1915 applies to the Commonwealth of Australia, and the states of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. The Act ratifies an agreement concerning the River Murray and Lake Victoria and other waters, and establishes the River Murray Commission to oversee the implementation of the agreement. The agreement and the Act cover the construction, maintenance, and operation of works on the river and its tributaries, including weirs, locks, and storage facilities, to facilitate navigation and irrigation. The Act outlines the cost-sharing arrangement among the parties and governs the distribution of water among the states. The Act binds the Crown, and its provisions extend to the construction of works, collection of tolls, and regulation of water usage. The Act also provides for the appointment of the River Murray Commission, its powers, and the making of regulations. Notably, the Act includes provisions for the resolution of disputes among the Commissioners and allows for arbitration in case of disagreements. The geographic scope of the Act is confined to the waters and lands within the jurisdictions of the Commonwealth and the three states involved in the agreement. The Act does not specify any exclusions or thresholds, but the implementation of its provisions is subject to the terms of the agreement and the regulations made under the Act. The Act itself can be amended or extended through subordinate instruments, which would need to be consistent with its provisions and the agreement it ratifies.

Key Provisions

  • The River Murray Waters Act 1915 (the Act) is structured around the ratification and implementation of an agreement concerning the River Murray and Lake Victoria. The Act binds the Crown and comes into effect on a date to be fixed by proclamation (sections 2 and 3). The Act establishes the River Murray Commission, which is tasked with executing the agreement and ensuring the construction and maintenance of specified works, such as storage facilities and weirs, along the River Murray (sections 4-13). The Commission has the authority to make regulations regarding its proceedings, tolls for vessels, and penalties for breaches of these regulations (section 7). The Act also outlines the financial responsibilities of the Commonwealth and the states, detailing how costs will be apportioned and how excess expenditures will be managed (sections 32-39).
  • The obligations imposed by the Act include the construction, maintenance, and operation of the specified works, as well as the collection and management of tolls for navigation. The Act requires the Commission to monitor the flow and distribution of water, prepare annual reports, and facilitate arbitration in case of disputes (sections 23-29, 58). Additionally, the states and the Commission are required to provide information and maintain records as stipulated in the Act (sections 59, 60).
  • The Act provides for several offences and penalties, including the imposition of fines for breaches of regulations made by the Commission (section 7). The Act also allows for civil and criminal actions against defaulting governments, including the recovery of costs and interest (section 43). The maximum penalty for breaches of regulations is set at Fifty pounds (section 7). Failure to comply with the Act or the agreement may result in additional financial liabilities and legal consequences, as specified in the provisions concerning default and enforcement (sections 42-44).

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Environmental Law
Property Law
Instrument
Act
Concepts
Commencement Provisions
Licensing & Registration
Reporting & Disclosure Obligations
Enforcement Powers
Regulatory Standards
Offence Provisions

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.